The Thinking Muslim

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The Middle East is changing rapidly, but are we witnessing the end of conflict or simply the beginning of a new phase?

In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, Muhammad Jalal sits down with geopolitical analyst Sami Hamdi to examine the shifting balance of power across the Middle East. From Donald Trump's claim that the war is over, to Iran's long-term strategy, the role of Saudi Arabia, the Houthis, and America's approach to the region, this conversation explores the political calculations shaping today's headlines.

The discussion also examines whether attitudes towards Israel are beginning to change in both the United States and the United Kingdom, looking at JD Vance's comments on the Israel lobby, sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and Andy Burnham's remarks on Palestine.

The episode opens with reflections on the TPSS Conference in Istanbul and concludes with a personal conversation about Sami's outlook after years of analysing one of the world's most volatile regions.

About Sami Hamdi:
Sami Hamdi is a British journalist, political commentator, and risk intelligence advisor specialising in Middle Eastern affairs and international geopolitics. Renowned for his strategic analysis of the region, he regularly provides insight into the political, military, and diplomatic developments shaping the Middle East.

In 2025, Hamdi was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while in the United States, reportedly in connection with statements he had made about the war in Gaza. Today, Sami Hamdi remains one of the leading voices analysing the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape of the Middle East

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The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.
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Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the world, but who is shaping artificial intelligence?

In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, we sit down with Waleed Kadous, one of the leading minds in AI, to explore how this technology is transforming education, politics, geopolitics, and even the future of religious authority. As governments, corporations, and global powers race to develop increasingly powerful AI systems, where do Muslims fit into this conversation?

From the rise of Anthropic and the global AI race to the philosophical assumptions embedded within today's models, this discussion examines why AI is far more than just another technological breakthrough. It is a civilisational shift that Muslims cannot afford to ignore.

About Waleed Kadous:
Waleed Kadous is Chief Scientist at Anyscale and one of the leading voices in artificial intelligence. Previously, he held senior engineering leadership roles at Google and Uber, where he served as Engineering Strategy Lead to the CTO. With expertise spanning AI, machine learning, robotics, and large-scale engineering systems, Waleed has spent his career developing cutting-edge technologies while helping shape the future of the industry. His work sits at the intersection of technical innovation, strategy, and the societal impact of AI.

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France is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in Europe. Yet for many Muslims, practising Islam has become increasingly difficult. From restrictions on religious expression to the growing influence of the far right, many are asking a question that would have seemed unthinkable a generation ago: is there still a future for Muslims in France?

In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, Muhammad Jalal is joined by Marwan Muhammad, one of the most prominent voices on Islamophobia and civil rights in France. Together they examine how the French state views Islam, the reality of Muslim life under laïcité, the controversy surrounding the government's report on the Muslim Brotherhood, the targeting of Muslim women, and whether Muslims can organise politically to defend their rights.

This is an essential conversation for anyone seeking to understand the changing relationship between France and its Muslim population.

About Marwan Muhammad:
Marwan Muhammad is a French-Egyptian author, statistician and human rights advocate. He is the former director of the Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF) and has worked with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) supporting Muslim communities across Europe, Central Asia and North America. He also led the first nationwide survey of Muslims in France and now works as a human rights consultant for international organisations.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.
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One thousand days since the start of the genocide in Gaza, the humanitarian catastrophe continues to unfold. In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, Dr. Azzam Tamimi joins the podcast to examine where Gaza stands today, how the conflict has reshaped the Palestinian cause, and what the future may hold.

The conversation explores the political realities surrounding Hamas, the impact of the Iran - Israel war, the role of Western media, the effectiveness of protest movements, and the broader questions of Muslim unity, nationalism, and solidarity. Dr. Azzam Tamimi also shares his recommendations for those looking to deepen their understanding of Palestine through reading.

About Dr. Azzam Tamini:
Dr. Azzam Tamimi is a Palestinian-British academic, political analyst, and author specialising in Middle Eastern politics and Islamic movements. He is widely recognised for his commentary on Palestine, political Islam, and regional affairs, and has written extensively on Hamas and the Israeli - Palestinian conflict.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

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In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, we sit inside the historic Al-Nuri Bimaristan in Damascus with Dr. Francesca Bocca-Aldaqre to explore one of the most remarkable institutions in Islamic civilisation.

The bimaristan was not simply a hospital. It was a place of healing that understood the human being in their entirety, body, mind, and soul. At a time when much of the world had yet to develop humane approaches to mental healthcare, Islamic civilisation had already built institutions rooted in dignity, compassion, and holistic care.

Together, we explore what made the bimaristan unique, from its patient-centred design and therapeutic environment to the waqf systems that sustained it for generations. We also reflect on what Syria has lost through war, what traditional Islamic approaches to healing can still offer today, and whether these institutions can once again play a role in rebuilding a wounded society.

As Syria looks toward recovery, this conversation asks an urgent question: can true reconstruction happen without healing the people themselves?

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.
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